Home Office

Refugees: Uganda

Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government what safe and legal routes exist for a Ugandan LGBT+ individual, who is under threat of imprisonment because of anti-homosexual laws in Uganda, and wishes to come to the UK to claim asylum as they have a family member living in the UK.

Lord Murray of Blidworth: Between December 2015 and 2022, the Government’s family reunion policy has granted more than 44,659 family reunion visas, bringing many families together.This safe and legal route allows immediate family members, as defined in the Immigration Rules, of those granted protection in the UK to join them here, if they formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country. Where somebody has a link to the UK, they may be eligible for our other family routes and can find more information on how to apply on gov.uk here: Indefinite leave to remain (permission to stay as a refugee, humanitarian protection or Discretionary Leave): Family reunion - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)There is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge, in keeping with almost all countries around the world. Whilst we sympathise with people in many difficult situations around the world, we are not bound to consider asylum claims from the very large numbers of people overseas who might like to come here.Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety.

Department for Business and Trade

Products: Safety

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to widen the powers of the Office of Product Safety and Standards so it can issue legally binding obligations for online marketplaces to monitor the safety of products offered for sale on their websites.

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Office of Product Safety and Standards's powers to take enforcement action against online marketplaces on behalf of consumers.

The Earl of Minto: Existing product safety legislation places obligations on manufacturers, importers and distributors to ensure that consumer products are safe before they are placed on the UK market, including products sold online. This legislation also provides the necessary powers to hold manufacturers, importers and distributors to account in exercising their responsibilities. The government’s Product Safety Review is considering concerns about the sale of unsafe products online, and a consultation, including proposals to examine existing enforcement powers, is being finalised for publication.

Hong Kong

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government whetherLord Johnson of Lainston raised (1) democracy in Hong Kong, (2) the military intimidation of Taiwan, or (3) the situation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, during his recent meetings to promote business ties with Hong Kong treasury minister, Christopher Hui.

Lord Johnson of Lainston: The Integrated Review Refresh sets the direction across Government for a consistent, coherent, and robust approach to China, rooted in our national interest and values. That extends to our approach on Hong Kong. The 'engage' strand of the United Kingdom's policy towards China involves maintaining channels of communication with China and Hong Kong. The ‘align’ strand involves standing with allies to push back against behaviours that undermine international law or violate human rights. My meeting with the Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury provided the opportunity to raise several significant issues, including democracy concerns.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Baroness Whitaker: To ask His Majesty's Government what stage their negotiations have reached concerning the dispute resolution mechanism in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, especially with regard to secret courts.

Lord Johnson of Lainston: The UK has substantially concluded negotiations on the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).The Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism in CPTPP allows for investors to seek legal redress from a member state for unfair treatment they have received when accessing, or operating in CPTPP markets, for example if they have been discriminated against because of their nationality, which has caused loss or damage to their investment.CPTPP includes specific provisions on the transparency of ISDS proceedings, including for tribunal documents and hearings to be made public.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Ukraine: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide funding and sustainable support to Ukraine to reform institutional care, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Embassy in Kyiv is working closely with the UN, civil society and others to support the Government of Ukraine's approach to institutional care reform - to build a strong, effective child protection system and inclusive societies for children and adults with disabilities. In 2022, we set up a multi-million pound CSSF Civil Society Fund to support Ukrainian civil society organisations, including on deinstitutionalisation reform to ensure all children have a right to a family. The Ukraine Recovery Conference will focus on the role of the private sector, together with governments and civil society, in supporting recovery and reconstruction over the longer term.

Hong Kong: Politics and Government

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to declare the government of Hong Kong's plans to reduce the direct election of District Councillors as a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are monitoring the proposals announced on 2 May by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong regarding District Council elections as they are put to Legislative Council. Changes to electoral rules in Hong Kong since 2021 have eroded the ability of Hong Kongers to be represented legitimately at all levels of government. We have made clear with our G7 partners our grave concern over the erosion of democratic elements in Hong Kong's electoral system. We will continue to bring together our international partners, to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out violations of their rights and freedoms, and to hold China to the international obligations it freely agreed to.

Africa: Wagner Group

Lord Boateng: To ask His Majesty's Government what is their most recent assessment of the number of Wagner Group operatives in Africa, and in which countries are they operating.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK Government has repeatedly emphasised the destabilising role of Wagner Group in Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and the wider region. Open source reporting has suggested Wagner deployments in CAR, Libya and Mali range between 1,000 to 1,900 operators per country. True numbers are highly uncertain as Wagner is part of a wider grouping of companies associated with Evgeny Prigozhin. We work closely with our international and regional partners, including through the UN, to counter the malign use of proxies like Wagner Group by Russia. The UK Government sanctioned Wagner Group in its entirety in 2022, which will weaken their capabilities in Africa.

Arctic Council

Lord Balfe: To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of Norway taking over the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council on 11 May 2023, what plans they have to build a stronger relationship with the Council during the two years of Norwegian Chairmanship.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK has been a State Observer to the Arctic Council since its first meeting and we participate actively in the Council's work. The UK welcomed Norway taking on the Chairship of the Arctic Council on 11 May 2023. We look forward to engaging with the new Norwegian Chair over the coming two years, including to look for further opportunities to enhance the UK's contribution to the work of the Council in areas of mutual interest and global importance, such as climate change and marine pollution.

Wales Office

Administration of Justice: Wales

Lord Wigley: To ask His Majesty's Government what approaches they have had from the Welsh Government concerning the transfer of responsibility to Senedd Cymru of (1) the police service in Wales, (2) the prison service in Wales, and (3) the court service and administration of justice in Wales.

Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist: Whilst the Welsh Government has called for the devolution of justice and policing to Wales, it has not made a formal request for the powers to be transferred. There has been no persuasive case made for how devolution would improve the operation of these services. There are therefore no plans to devolve them.

Department for Transport

Transport: Infrastructure

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what forecast they have made of the energy infrastructure investment required over the next 30 years to support freight transport and decarbonisation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Through the Freight Energy Forum – a commitment in the Future of freight: a long-term plan (June 2022) - the Department will work with stakeholders from the freight and energy sectors to understand the infrastructure requirements across the freight system and to develop a specific Zero Emission HGV Infrastructure Strategy. The Strategy will ensure the delivery of the recharging and refuelling infrastructure required to meet the 2035 and 2040 phase out dates for non-zero emission HGVs. The Strategy will complement the zero- emission road freight demonstrator (ZERFD) programme. ZERFD will demonstrate multiple zero emission HGV technologies at scale on UK roads to identify how they can each best be used to decarbonise the heaviest HGVs. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles is working with fleets and industry bodies, such as the EV Fleet Accelerator and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, to understand the diverse charging requirements of fleets and how these can be factored into local planning and strategies. Energy network operators are responsible for ensuring future demand can be met and they are incentivised to do so through the regulatory framework set out by Ofgem, the independent regulator. Since 1 April 2023 Ofgem has decided to socialise all the distribution network reinforcement costs for demand connections and to socialise a greater proportion of these costs for generation connections.

Transport for London: Concessions

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Transport for London on the possible withdrawal of Day Travelcards; and what assessment they have made, if any, of the impact of this change on (1) rail passengers travelling into London from elsewhere and their choice of transport once in London, and (2) children visiting London from elsewhere, and in particular school parties.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor. This includes decisions on fares and ticketing such as his proposal to withdraw Day Travelcards. It is for him to assess the impact his proposal will have on all rail passengers travelling into and within London. The impact on London’s economy and this proposal to increase public transport costs interacts with his policy to introduce an Ultra Low Emission Zone.

High Speed 2 Line

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government why their six-monthly report on HS2 to Parliament, due a year after that dated 16 March 2022, is delayed; and when they expect to publish the next edition.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The last six monthly report on HS2 to Parliament was published in October 2022. April 2023 would have marked the six month point from the previous edition, but this was postponed due to external factors including recess, the pre-local election period and the King’s coronation. We remain committed to providing timely and transparent updates to Parliament and we aim to publish the next edition in the coming weeks.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what financial support they are providing to local authorities to improve road surfaces.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government is providing local highway authorities with a three-year funding settlement for local highway maintenance amounting to approximately £915 million of capital funding per year. This funding covers the financial years 2022/23 to 2024/25 and is for local highway authorities across England outside of London and the Mayoral Combined Authorities which receive separate funding. In addition to this settlement, at Budget 2023 the Chancellor announced an extra £200 million for highways maintenance for the 2023/24 financial year. Mayoral Combined Authorities are receiving City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements amounting to £5.7 billion over five years, which includes funding for maintenance for their local highway networks.

Department of Health and Social Care

Incinerators: Health Hazards

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of emissions from incinerators on the health of (1) the local population as a whole, and (2) babies and children in particular.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have made of the impact of burning of plastics on respiratory disease in areas surrounding incinerator plants.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the production of nitrogen oxides at waste incinerators in relation to (1) decreased lung function, (2) increases in respiratory symptoms, (3) asthma prevalence and incidence, (4) cancer incidence, (5) adverse birth outcomes, and (6) mortality.

Lord Markham: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) position on incinerators is that modern, well run and regulated municipal waste incinerators (MWIs) are not a significant risk to public health. This view is based on detailed assessments of the effects of air pollutants on health and on the fact that these incinerators make only a very small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants.Public Health England funded a study by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit at Imperial College London which found no link between exposure to emissions from, or living close to, MWIs and infant deaths or reduced foetal growth. The study also found no evidence of increased risk of congenital anomalies from exposure to MWI chimney emissions, but a small potential increase in risk of congenital anomalies for children born within ten kilometres of MWIs. A causal association between the increased risk of congenital anomalies for children born close to MWIs has not been established.UKHSA has not received or commissioned any assessments on disposing of plastic waste by incineration. UKHSA’s position is that well run and regulated modern MWIs are not a significant risk to public health when incinerating the general municipal waste mix which includes plastic.When consulted, UKHSA provides an expert and independent opinion to the regulator (Environment Agency) on the potential impacts on human health of emissions including nitrogen oxides arising from existing or proposed regulated facilities, such as MWIs. Emissions from existing regulated facilities are closely monitored and regulated by the Environment Agency.

Osteoporosis

Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for appointing (1) a National Clinical Director, or (2) National Specialty Adviser, for osteoporosis within NHS England.

Lord Markham: Andrew Bennett is NHS England’s national clinical director for musculoskeletal conditions, which includes osteoporosis.

Congenital Abnormalities

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what plansthey have, if any, to ensure that the report of the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service oncongenital anomaly annual statistics breaks down data in relation to anomalies by local authority area.

Lord Markham: There are no current plans to present data by local authority. It would be technically possible to do so, but the number of babies in each local authority would be too small, especially when stratified by anomaly group, and would likely lead to much of the data being supressed for reasons of information governance.

Cabinet Office

Ministers and Senior Civil Servants: Training

Lord Norton of Louth: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byBaroness Neville-Rolfe on 25 April (HL Deb cols 1184–5), what plans they have to ensure that (1) ministers, and (2) senior civil servants, are trained in key leadership skills.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: (1) The Government Skills and Curriculum Unit committed to developing a programme of induction and training for new ministers in the Declaration of Government Reform. The Declaration noted the importance of support for ministers in their roles as the most senior leaders in Government. This work is ongoing. A programme of masterclass sessions was rolled out over the last year. A particular area of focus is legislation and the provision of guidance and support to ministers taking bills through parliament. (2) We recognise the importance of ensuring Senior Civil Servants have the right leadership training. We provide a range of training programmes and events to support them in growing their knowledge, skills and networks to tackle many challenges. For example, we have recently launched a new programme for Directors, The Directors Leadership Programme. This has had input from the Blavatnik School for Government and a consortium of experts, to create a rigorous and focussed vehicle for leadership improvement.

Civil Servants: Remote Working

Lord Patten: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of (1) the numbers of full-time civil servants, and (2) the percentages of the overall numbers of civil servants, who work from home on (a) Mondays, (b) Tuesdays, (c) Wednesdays, (d) Thursdays, and (e) Fridays.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: According to Civil Service statistics as at 31 March 2022, of 510,080 civil servants, 408,110 work full time. However the data on civil servants’ working patterns, including those working at home is not routinely captured or reported on by the Cabinet Office. Decisions on flexible working requests are made locally by departments, based on their business needs and delivery requirements. As departments are individual employers they set out their employees’ terms and conditions, including any flexible working policies.

Government Departments: Social Media

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask His Majesty's Government how many times inthe past year outside speakers invited to Civil Service events have had their invitations withdrawn after having their social media accounts vetted;and what criteria were used for such vetting.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We do not centrally collate information on the number of people who are identified as unsuitable for speaking at Government events. Civil Service Human Resources who sit within the Cabinet Office developed guidance for all Cross-Government Diversity networks. This requires the networks to carry out checks on external speakers prior to inviting them to participate in Civil Service events. We are aware that some departments (including Cabinet Office) and agencies have adapted this guidance to apply to departmental Diversity Networks and learning events. We do not have a record of how many departments have adapted the guidance or whether they record information on speakers.

Import Controls

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish details on the Border Target Operating Model to support businesses to prepare for its implementation from 2023.

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of implementing the Border Target Operating Model on supply chains.

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the timeframes businesses will require to prepare for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model from October 2023.

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the costs to businesses of preparing for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model from October 2023.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: In April 2023, the Government published through Written Ministerial Statement UIN HLWS695 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-04-17/hlws695 the launch of the Border Target Operating Model, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments. This sets out plans to introduce security and biosecurity controls from the 31st October 2023 in a way which implements critical protections at the UK border, while ensuring that these new controls are as simple as possible for businesses to comply with. By harnessing data and technology and taking a proportionate, risk-based approach to these controls, we have developed a model that works best for the UK. On Friday 28 April 2023 we published a detailed risk categorisation of animal products, plants and plant products of EU and EFTA origin. This provides clarity to importers on what controls will be applied to the different risk categories, including when health certificates will be required to import goods from 31st October 2023. Following the publication of this additional information we are working to update our early estimate of the impact and cost of the new model, driving down cost wherever possible. The relevant business stakeholders told us before publication that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and our phased approach gives them this time. We are working to ensure that UK and international businesses and their supply chains are aware of and understand the new requirements and are ready for these changes. The Government is using the current period of engagement to listen and gather views through a series of thematic in-person and virtual workshops with the UK’s major supermarkets, logistics and transport firms, and with Business Representative Organisations, to further explore the costs of implementing the new model, and to ensure importing is as smooth as possible where checks are needed. We will publish a final version of the Border Target Operating Model, reflecting feedback from stakeholders, in the summer.

Import Controls

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the proposed Border Target Operating Model, when details will be published to provide support to businesses in preparing for its implementation from October.

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the proposed Border Target Operating Model, what assessment they have made of the timescales required by businesses to prepare for its implementation.

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the proposed Border Target Operating Model, what assessment they have made of the costs to businesses of preparing for its implementation.

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on supply chains of implementing the Border Target Operating Model from October.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: In April 2023, the Government published through Written Ministerial Statement UIN HLWS695 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-04-17/hlws695 the launch of the Border Target Operating Model, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments. This sets out plans to introduce security and biosecurity controls from the 31st October 2023 in a way which implements critical protections at the UK border, while ensuring that these new controls are as simple as possible for businesses to comply with. By harnessing data and technology and taking a proportionate, risk-based approach to these controls, we have developed a model that works best for the UK. On Friday 28 April 2023 we published a detailed risk categorisation of animal products, plants and plant products of EU and EFTA origin. This provides clarity to importers on what controls will be applied to the different risk categories, including when health certificates will be required to import goods from 31st October 2023. Following the publication of this additional information we are working to update our early estimate of the impact and cost of the new model, driving down cost wherever possible. The relevant business stakeholders told us before publication that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and our phased approach gives them this time. We are working to ensure that UK and international businesses and their supply chains are aware of and understand the new requirements and are ready for these changes. The Government is using the current period of engagement to listen and gather views through a series of thematic in-person and virtual workshops with the UK’s major supermarkets, logistics and transport firms, and with Business Representative Organisations, to further explore the costs of implementing the new model, and to ensure importing is as smooth as possible where checks are needed. We will publish a final version of the Border Target Operating Model, reflecting feedback from stakeholders, in the summer.